Breeze into the Forest Spring Blue ride 24

We will start at Beechenhurst and join the Colliers Trails trail before climbing up to Woorgreens nature reserve. Here we can enjoy the view (and hopefully the Highland cattle) and then continue along gravel and unused fire roads to Mallards Pike. Here, after a coffee break, we will continue across the road and ride down to Pillowell on good gravel tracks, A short road section will take us through the village before we ride along fire roads to Parkend and re-joining the Family Link back to Beechenhurst.

We will start our ride outside the Beechenhurst café. After a quick check of our bikes, we will head out joining the family cycle trail just down from Beechenhurst. We will follow the family cycle trail for a bit before following the fire roads through the forest. We will make our way steadily around the Forest of Dean, from where we will head back down towards Beechenhurst. Once back at the café, there is an excellent opportunity to stop for a cuppa and a well-deserved slice of their lovely cakes.

We will be riding 23km of gravel fire road and unused fire roads through the Forest of Dean. These will not be technical but may be very muddy.

There are couple of steady climbs but we will take them steadily and have regular stops to catch our breath and make sure we all stay together. We will be making our way past Mallards Pike and stop at the Café there for refreshments before returning to Beechenhurst at the end to enjoy refreshments there.

Bring your own bike. This ride is suitable for bikes with off-road tyres (wide and knobbly) and please make sure your bike is in good condition. Helmets are mandatory and gloves would be recommended. Dress suitably for the weather remembering that winter mornings can be a bit chilly, especially in the shade of the trees. And whatever the forecast, bring a waterproof coat just in case, as the weather can be unpredictable in this area. This ride although on fire roads will be graded as blue and a mountain bike will be required. This is due to the unused sections of fire road we will be undertaking, although they will be not technical due to the recent rain they will be very muddy,

First-timers welcome!